Chicago by River

Kayaking the Chicago River

A few weeks ago I had to fly out to Chicago for a video project I was working on. After the interview I had about two hours to see the windy city. Just across the river, I saw a big sign that read “Urban Kayaking.” I investigated and found that I could rent a kayak for an hour and paddle up the Chicago River. The river was full of boat traffic, including other kayakers, and offered some nice views of the Chicago skyline. Here are a few photos from the river.

A sprinkler shoots water over the Chicago River while gulls fly overhead. This view of Chicago is from a kayak at river level. (Dave Tavani)

The bow of my kayak points upriver toward the Trump International Hotel and Tower on the north bank of the Chicago River. (Dave Tavani)

The Shoreline Sightseeing boat passes in front of me on the Chicago River. (Dave Tavani)

A Black-crowned Night Heron and a Canada Goose sit along the north bank of the Chicago River. (Dave Tavani)

My kayak points toward the Chicago skyline with the Sears Tower toward the right at the meeting of the north and south branch of the Chicago River. (Dave Tavani)

I pass under the Clark Street Bridge while kayaking the Chicago River. (Dave Tavani)

The John Hancock Center rises in the distance between the IBM Building (330 Wabash Avenue) and the Trump International Hotel and Tower as seen from the Chicago River. (Dave Tavani)

A raft of kayakers pass under the Trump International Hotel and Tower while kayaking the Chicago River. (Dave Tavani)

About

Dave Tavani is a freelance videographer and photographer based in Philadelphia. In the last few years, Dave has worked on a variety of projects, mostly for nonprofit and arts organizations. He also shot second camera for Danny’s Guitar Shop, a television program that aired on WHYY. Currently, Dave works on video projects for McCarter Theatre Center, The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, Visit Philadelphia, The Food Trust, Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture, and Mural Arts Philadelphia. Additionally, Dave co-produces a monthly arts video feature for JerseyArts.com.